AWARD CEREMONIES - Theme for 2015 is ‘Celebration’

Award ceremonies are a crucial part of school life to publicly recognise achievements and accomplishments. It makes our students feel that their work is valued. It shows approval and gratitude for each student’s good job, and it makes people aware that good work will be rewarded. It shows others, such as the general public and other pupils that we are aware of outstanding accomplishments. Recognition motivates others to strive for excellence and we all benefit from it. Being rewarded for doing well is one of the biggest incentives anyone can receive.

After another successful year at Garnock Academy. it was time for us to recognize the achievement of our S1-S3 pupils who follow the Broad General Education phase. Our “Celebration of Success” events which are year group specific took place on the 16th, 17th and 18th of June. Pupils, parents and invited guests from the community gathered together to celebrate the significant academic and wider achievement of Garnock pupils.

The ceremony reflected the theme of ‘Celebration’ with the award winners being piped in by two of the schools talented pipers, Angus MacDonald and Paul Sproat. Audiences were entertained throughout the events by many of the phenomenally talented students from Garnock Academy’s music department who performed both as individual and groups. Another highlight of the event was the music video, produced by Mrs Shedden.

She produced the video for each year group which showed a very short clip of the events that each year group had successfully participated in.

Both the S2 and S3 pupils were inspired by former pupil and Kilmarnock football player David Syme. He spoke to them about his time at Garnock Academy, the importance of education and how he is still learning as an adult in his professional life. David also presented the prizes to the pupils.

The S3 Columba 1400/leadership pupils hosted all the events with sound and lighting being provided by Mr McArdles pupils from the Science Faculty. Mrs Thornton and Mrs Gibb of the Art and Technical Faculty issued their first assignment to the S5/6 Photography students and they willing accepted to photograph the proceedings for the three days. A special thank you goes to Nathalie Harkness and Kirsty Wilson who returned to school to help the new photographers on the day.